44-40 to 38-40

[Hooker53]

Has anyone tried reforming from 44-40 to 38-40? Seems it could be done even with just the 38-40 sizing die.

Roy
Hooker53

[Springfield]

Works fine most of the time. Going the other way works also, from 38-40 to 44-40.

[EDG]

Make sure the 44-40 case mouth is perfectly round. If not make it round and size it first with the 44-40 die. Once you get that paper thin brass perfectly round it should form easily. I use a 44-40 trim die sometimes to form 45-70 brass down as a preliminary step for forming 40-65 and 38-56 brass. The 45-70 brass will even form fairly easily to 38-56 in one step so I cannot see how you would have any trouble.

[earlmck]

Yep, that is the world's easiest forming operation, making 38/40's out of 44/40's: I think if you started with new brass you could almost do it without lube. But as EDG says, get the necks ROUND first -- the least little dent or imperfection of the neck becomes a wrinkle with this thin brass.

[Hooker53]

Hey thanks guys. I just tried it as per you alls instructions, and it worked great. Least now I know I can form a few out of my kinda large drawer of 44-40 when I have my rifle ready for it. Thanks all.

Roy

[EDG]

I forget to mention the caliber discrepancies.

A 44-40 is not a .44 cal. The bullet is about.427 to .429 making it at best a .43 caliber.

A 38-40 is not a .38 caliber. The bullets are about .401 to .403 making it a .40 caliber. The difference in the case necks would only be about .026 difference. That is not a very radical neck reduction when forming brass especially thin brass.

Has anyone tried reforming from 44-40 to 38-40? Seems it could be done even with just the 38-40 sizing die.

Roy
Hooker53